Attention to this date!

The Universal Health Insurance implementation which began in Turkey in 2008 registers all Turkish citizens under the Universal Health Insurance system. However, a transition period was recognized for some groups in society, one of which is “foreigners.” This transition period ends on Oct. 1, 2010, so after this date foreigners specified in the law must be registered Universal Health Insurance holders.

What the Law says

According to “general health insurance provisions” it is necessary to consider clause (d) of the first subclause of 60th article of Law 5510. The mentioned provision is: “d) Foreigners who aren’t insured according to foreign legislation and have obtained a residence permit on any condition which takes into consideration the reciprocity principal are regarded as general health insured.” According to this law, people with Turkish residence permits who aren’t insured in a foreign country are considered to fall within the framework of the “general health insurance provisions” under Law 5510.

However, provisional article 12 states that individuals who are accepted as insured according to subclauses (d) –foreigners-, clause one of Article 60, shall make their declarations within two years after the effective date of this act. Within this period, among individuals who are considered as universal health insurance holders according to sub clauses (d) and (g), clause one, Article 60, those who do not have a registry claim and whose children are under the age of 18 benefit from health services. The registry of these people’s children is done as of the date of application to the health service provider.

However, in provinces in which family physician implementation is initiated, these people fall into the category of universal health insurance holder and people they are required to care for, without any regard to the two-year period.

When we consider these arrangements, if you are foreigner, if you are not insured in your country, if you have a residence permit and if you have been in Turkey for a year or more, you must become a Universal Health Insurance Holder – as required by law – as of Oct. 1, 2010.

Where to apply

You must apply for universal health insurance at the “Sosyal Güvenlik Merkez Müdürlüğü” (Social Security Center Directorate), or SSC. SSC directorates are located in every province and many districts. For example, directorates in Istanbul can be found in Bakırköy, Beşiktaş, Beyoğlu, Boğaziçi, Cağaloğlu, Cibali, Doğancılar, Fatih, Fındıklı, Gaziosmanpaşa, Kadıköy, Kurtköy, Küçükçekmece, Maltepe, Pendik, Şişli and Unkapanı. When applying for universal health insurance, remember to have these documents ready: your residence permit document, your Turkish ID number and your passport.

After the application process you will be registered as insured.

How much will you pay for UHI?

If you are registered as a universal health insurance holder, you must pay monthly premiums. Assuming that you are insured this month, you will pay182 Turkish Liras. After being registered by SSC you can pay premiums at any bank. The monthly payment covers spouses and children.